FAQ

Is it my family dentist that is responsible for scheduling my appointment with the orthodontist?
No, it is not. Many of our patients are referred by their family dentist, yet many other patients take the initiative to schedule an examination themselves.

At what age should I schedule an appointment for an orthodontic screening?
Orthodontic screening is recommended at age 7 by the American Association of Orthodontists. in most children, several permanent teeth have erupted, this enables us to effectively evaluate your orthodontic condition.

Will my teeth straighten out as they grow?
No. the front teeth space does not increase as you grow. After the permanent molars erupt, the space available for the front teeth decreases with age in most people.

How do I go about scheduling an appointment for an initial exam?
Orthodontic treatment is important for both you and your child. Just contact our office, you can send us an e-mail or fill out our appointment request form online. We are more than happy to hear from you. Our front office staff will request some basic information from you once you call to schedule your appointment.

What will happen at the initial examination appointment?
Each patient and parent upon arriving will be seen by the doctor who will prepare for the initial exam. Photographs and X-rays are necessary because this will enable us to make a proper diagnosis then complete a brief, but thorough, exam will be conducted by the doctor.

What will I learn from the initial examination?
During the initial examination we will cover five essential questions, such as;

How long will the treatment take to complete?

What must be done to correct the problem?

Is there an orthodontic problem, and if so, what is it?

How much will the treatment cost?

Will any teeth need to be removed?

Will I need to have teeth extracted for braces?
to achieve the best orthodontic result, sometimes removing teeth is highly required. The goal of orthodontics is Straight teeth and a balanced facial profile. But removing teeth is not always necessary for orthodontic treatment because new technology has provided advanced orthodontic procedures.

How long will it take to complete treatment?
treatment times range from 12 to 30 months. it obviously depends on each patient’s specific orthodontic problem. In general, 22 months is the “average” time frame a person is in braces.

ow does my insurance work? Are financing options available? How much will braces cost?
It is only after examination that we can give you an exact cost for treatment. During the initial examination, we will go over the financial options available to you, plus inform you of the exact costs. There are many financing options made available to accommodate your needs, and these will be reviewed with you. We will also help to maximize your benefit and review your insurance policy and also file your claims.

It is impossible to give an until we have examined you. We will cover the exact cost and We have many

How often will I have appointments?
according to each patient’s needs, appointments are usually tailored to meet their needs. we will schedule appointments accordingly, If there are specific situations that require more frequent monitoring. Although, most patients in braces will be seen every five to 10 weeks.

Can I schedule all of my appointments after school?
During after-school hours, we usually don’t schedule all appointments for students. Most patients will miss minimal school due to their orthodontic treatments because most appointments are scheduled five to 10 weeks apart. We will make a sincere effort to meet your scheduling needs.

Can I drop my child off for an appointment?
Yes, you can. On some occasions, we may request to speak with a parent when they return, so we ask that parents check in with their patient manager before dropping off their child. We understand your busy schedule, and we are happy to help you out.

Do braces hurt?
Braces do not hurt in general. Although, the teeth may be sore for a while after certain visits but pain medications like Advil or Tylenol will be prescribed to reduce the discomfort you might feel. patients do not feel any soreness at all, with frequent visits.

Can I return to school the day I receive my braces?
Yes. There is no reason to miss school because of an orthodontic appointment.

Do you give shots?
No. Shots are not necessary in orthodontic treatment.

Do you use recycled braces?
NO! Each patient is provided with their own braces, because our goal is to get the best orthodontic result possible.

Can I still play sports?
Yes. For all sports, we recommend a mouth guard.

Do I need to see my family dentist while in braces?
It is extremely important to go for regular checkups with your family dentist while in braces. The intervals between cleaning appointments will be arranged by your family dentist.

Are there foods I cannot eat while I have braces?
There are certain foods you cannot eat. we will explain the complete instructions and provide a comprehensive list of foods to avoid, once treatment begins. Examples of such foods are; ice, hard candy, raw vegetables and all sticky foods like caramel and taffy. most emergency appointments to repair broken or damaged braces can be avoided by carefully following our instructions.

while in braces, how often should I brush my teeth?
at least four times each day especially before going to bed and after each meal. if necessary, we will provide a prescription for a special fluoride and also show them how to floss their teeth with braces

What is an emergency appointment? How are those handled?
You should call our office immediately, If your braces are causing extreme pain or if something breaks. we will set aside time for you, if you need an urgent appointment and we can address these issues over the telephone.

While a child has baby teeth, can orthodontic correction occur?
The growth and development of that patient will be followed until the time is right for treatment to begin. Some orthodontic problems are serious enough to need early intervention, we will follow that also, if the patient is not ready for treatment. PLEASE talk to us before you decide on a “phase” plan.

What is Phase One (early) treatment?
Usually, this treatment is initiated on children between the ages of 7 and 10. It usually lasts about 12-21 months and the primary objective for Phase One treatment is to address significant problems to improve self-image and self-esteem by preventing them from becoming more serious.

Will my child need full braces if he/she has Phase One treatment?
After Phase One treatment, It is best to assume that your child will still need full braces. The growth and tooth eruption are closely monitored during the period following Phase One treatment is called the “resting period,” at this point, parents and patients will be kept informed of future treatment recommendations. before you decide on a “phase” plan, please come to us.

Will my child need an expander?
we will determine whether a patient will need an expander at the completion of the initial examination,.

If I am already an adult, is it too late to have braces?
percent of all orthodontic patients are adults, this is a surprising percentage. There are important factors that adults are extremely mindful off, and they are Health, happiness and self-esteem are vitally. Nobody is “too old” to wear braces.
Can I wear braces even though I have crowns and missing teeth?
Yes you can, the orthodontic treatment will aid in the alignment of the remaining teeth. A tooth with a crown will move just like a tooth with a simple filling.

Why should I choose an orthodontic specialist?
Through orthodontic treatment, the teeth and the entire facial structures can be permanently changed. So the importance of this treatment cannot be underemphasised. It must be properly completed, Orthodontic specialists provide their patients with professional, personalized treatments through their extensive and specialized training.